40d:Macros and keymaps

Playing Dwarf Fortress means lots of typing. Although the game (as of version v0.27.169.33) has no internal macro/keymap system, using an external program can save you a great deal of time when dumping, rewalling, designating, and so forth.

1. Go to Utilities#AutoHotKey and download AutoHotKey. Installation is simple and the program uses few system resources.
2. Write macro scripts (file type .ahk), which may contain any number of commands. You activate scripts by double-clicking .ahk files and deactivate them by right-clicking the AutoHotKey icon on the task bar. Both of these can be done at any time - even right in the middle of a game. AutoHotKey also allows for automated activation of scripts.

AutoHotKey Examples

Dumping

Taken from Jackard's user page.

To use, first have your bookeeper do enough desk work so you can view individual items in the stocks listing. Then bring it up and press del to quickly mark stuff. To adjust the key repeat rate, edit the KEY_HOLD_MS value in \data\init\init.txt.

del::
IfWinActive Dwarf Fortress
{
  send d{down}
  return
}
else
{
  send {del}
  return
}

Rewalling

Taken from Valdemar's user page.

This is a macro to aid with rewalling. To use, copy-paste the script into a new .ahk file and run the script with AutoHotkey. Then, in Dwarf Fortress, press b-C-w, move the cursor to where you want to start the wall, and hold Ctrl-Shift-Arrowkey, using the direction you want to rewall in. To build floors, press b-C-f instead, and use Ctrl-Alt-Arrowkey. To stop, just release the keys.

The script will use the first material in the list. I suggest you create a stockpile near the construction site that only accepts the item you wish to build with and temporarily forbid any nearby materials you don't want to build with.

$^+Left:: ProcessEvent("Left","w")
$^+Right:: ProcessEvent("Right","w")
$^+Up:: ProcessEvent("Up","w")
$^+Down:: ProcessEvent("Down","w")

$^!Left:: ProcessEvent("Left","f")
$^!Right:: ProcessEvent("Right","f")
$^!Up:: ProcessEvent("Up","f")
$^!Down:: ProcessEvent("Down","f")


ProcessEvent(direction, type)
{   
    Send {Enter}
    Sleep 100
    Send {Enter}
    Sleep 100
    Send %type%
    Sleep 100
    Send {%direction%}
    Loop
    {
        if not GetKeyState(direction, "P") 
            break  
        Send {Enter}
        Sleep 100
        Send {Enter}
        Sleep 100
        Send %type%
        Sleep 100
        Send {%direction%}
    }
}

Grid-by-grid designation

For easier diagonal and fancy mining. Assumes that DF is active. "^!" means ctrl-alt-direction.

^!NumpadEnd::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadEnd}
return
^!NumpadDown::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadDown}
return
^!NumpadPgDn::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadPgDn}
return
^!NumpadLeft::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadLeft}
return
^!NumpadRight::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadRight}
return
^!NumpadHome::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadHome}
return
^!NumpadUp::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadUp}
return
^!NumpadPgUp::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadPgUp}
return

Room-designation macros

Valdemar's Designator Macro

This macro can read a spreadsheet and designate rooms according to it. Forum Thread/Download

Fedor's chambered circle

A circular room with eight equal-sized chambers, suitable for everything from housing to workshops to a mausoleum.
See this macro in action
Macro text

Valdemar's bedroom complex

A large fractal bedroom/dining complex, with 56 bedrooms and room for 24 tables.

You can press Alt-B to create a bedroom block, or Alt-C to create a full complex with 4 bedroom blocks and a dining block in the center.

Note - the macro is much faster than the demo movie shows, it is done in under a minute.

Demo Movie

Download

Game Interface FAQ
Menu interface guide
What do these symbols represent?
What do the flashing icons mean?
How do I make the game run faster?
How do I accomplish tasks with fewer keystrokes?
What are good key bindings if I have a laptop or unusual keyboard?
Where can I get color graphic tiles for this game?
On the z stocks page, why are numbers displayed in yellow such as 10? 20? etc
What do the C H and S in the top left border mean?
What configuration options are available?
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